Episode 2 was a big misstep, but one the show could have recovered from. "Manhunt," though, continued all the stupid things from last week and added more. There's absolutely zero urgency from any of these people to figure out how they're going to survive inside this thing with limited supplies of food and water. There's barely any urgency about finding ways out, for that matter, except from characters who are crazy and/or chained underground in a bomb shelter. The dome seemingly makes people crazy — which thus far is just an excuse for contrived, clumsy melodrama designed to distract both the citizens and the audience from the actual problems created by the dome — so I suppose it's possible it's also pacified everyone into a "Don't worry, be happy, crack a joke about the dwindling bacon supply" attitude, but there's been no suggestion that's the case. The characters are either bland (Deputy Linda, Julia, Joe), cartoonishly evil (Junior, this new jerk Carter) or played by an actor who deserves much, much better material (Big Jim).

FFwded thru most of the Barbie/redhead/city council guy stuff. Watched the young kid and his party bit and the walk thru the tunnels. It seems the only smart ones are the kids and one is hidden in a bomb shelter. At least in the book a couple of the adults had it together too. Not sure how much more I will devote to this.

I'm on the fence about it. Yeah, the characters are stupid but so are people. People don't plan for the future. Still, there must be more than a few "preppers" in a rural Maine town like Chester's Mills, and it would be more interesting to see what they're up to. Instead we focus on a crazy deputy who runs around in the forest and then just unceremoniously dies before we understand any of the basis for his craziness.

I do hope the whole Junior/Hostage thing gets wrapped up soon since there is no reason for us to see ten minutes of the same scenes being re-enacted in every episode. She'd better stab him with those scissors next episode.

I also think we're seeing the effects of "let's do season 2"-itis in how slowly and stupidly everything is progressing. The initial media coverage of the show acted like this was a fixed 13-episode miniseries, but apparently the show runners have mapped out two additional seasons. This does not bode well for a taut storyline.

Despite my bashing if it, I kept saying I was enjoying it so I'd keep watching. Zero enjoyment this week.

It's been said here already. All of the adults are acting like the dome doesn't exist. They are all tied up in their soap opera dramas. The kids are reacting better. Trying to get out or having end of the world parties.

And on top of it all, instead of exploring psychology or attacking the dome, we get a manhunt in a woods that can't possibly coexist in the same space as the town, the river and the mill.

Because the steep descent into blackness is a metaphor for something. (The quality of the episodes, perhaps?)

I don't normally care for shows that start in media res, as I think of it as a bit of a writer's crutch, but I think this series could have benefitted from it. Show us a glimpse of where we are headed right at the start, to help make this preliminary stuff more endurable as we wonder "how did they get to that point they showed in the opening scenes?" I agree that right now the characters are not acting with the sense of urgency and panic they should be if they were more true-to-life. I assume that's because the writers are trying to establish a baseline. Problem is, baseline is boring and, in this case, frustrating for the viewer.

Other quibbles:

"How many matches do you have left?"
"Only one. Let's waste it standing around talking."
"Yeah, okay."

Plus, I can't think of anyone I know that actually carries a box of matches around with them, when they are just out and about. That was fortunate she had them.

Another frustrating moment (from the prior episode, but if I'm thread-crapping it might as well be diarrhea) - Barbie is shown as being smart enough to consider that things might get so bad that it gets to a point where cigarettes are used as currency. So he ups his request from one pack to three. Three? Yep, that should do it.

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I'm out. The first three episodes remind me of the first three seasons of Lost. The first one was good and drew you in, the second wasn't as good as the first but still showed promise, and the third was just pointless.

I forget who got jumped all over for commenting on how in-your-face the two moms things is, but he was right. "We are a same-sex couple." "... our legitimate daughter ...". I'm all for same-sex marriage. What I'm against is bad writing.

Another frustrating moment (from the prior episode, but if I'm thread-crapping it might as well be diarrhea) - Barbie is shown as being smart enough to consider that things might get so bad that it gets to a point where cigarettes are used as currency. So he ups his request from one pack to three. Three? Yep, that should do it.

I may be giving them too much credit...almost certainly, in fact...but considering he told the clerk the cigarettes weren't for him (when obviously they were), I "read" that as him stocking up because of the impending shortage and using the "currency" bit as an excuse.

Another bothersome scene...
Creepy Kid is walking fast with a backpack. Reporter lady asks him where he is going. He is mysterious and walks off. Only a total jackass wouldn't expect her to follow him. Then she wastes the last match standing still having a conversation. Please. At least we saw the dome goes far underground and that other electronics explode near it (the flashlight). Now lets see how long it takes until someone connects some wires to the dome to see if it is generating any sort of electricity.

I'm sticking with it because it is about the only new TV on right now. I look forward to reading the book once this first season is done.

Another bothersome scene...
Creepy Kid is walking fast with a backpack. Reporter lady asks him where he is going. He is mysterious and walks off. Only a total jackass wouldn't expect her to follow him. Then she wastes the last match standing still having a conversation. Please. At least we saw the dome goes far underground and that other electronics explode near it (the flashlight). Now lets see how long it takes until someone connects some wires to the dome to see if it is generating any sort of electricity.

I'm sticking with it because it is about the only new TV on right now. I look forward to reading the book once this first season is done.

You'll be rewarded with a much better story.

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Barbie is shown as being smart enough to consider that things might get so bad that it gets to a point where cigarettes are used as currency. So he ups his request from one pack to three. Three? Yep, that should do it.

I had to smile at that comment. I was stationed on board the USS Nimitz (CVN-68). Two weeks before the ship pulled into Haifa Israel I filled up a duffel bag full of patches, hats and cigarette lighters with the USS Nimitz on them. Had a great time seeing Israel on the cheap, with no extra money out of my pocket for lodging, food, drink and entertainment in the five days I went ashore. Learned my lesson two years ago on the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69).

This episode sits unwatched on my DVR and based on comments here I think I'll delete it and the season pass. There's just too much better stuff to watch.

It's really too bad, the show seemed like it could have been so good. I doubt they could have ever kept it interesting for more than 8 or 10 episodes but if the writers had focused on the dome rather than stupid behavior, it could have been a really good show.

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This episode sits unwatched on my DVR and based on comments here I think I'll delete it and the season pass. There's just too much better stuff to watch.

It's really too bad, the show seemed like it could have been so good. I doubt they could have ever kept it interesting for more than 8 or 10 episodes but if the writers had focused on the dome rather than stupid behavior, it could have been a really good show.

This. We are in the third episode and the only real interaction with the dome is a nut case who went what appeared to be all of 20 feet down to find it again.

Rachelle Lefevre is one fine looking woman and the only reason for me to watch another episode. This show is full of paper thin, poorly written characters.

I held out the slightest sliver of hope that Ms. Intrepid Reporter would ask Barbie why he beat the snot out of innocent thirty year old teenager Junior. Maybe Big Jim would ask Barbie why he beat the snot out of innocent thirty year old teenager Junior. A big "No" on both counts. They both notice bruised face and knuckles and hear a cockamamie story from Junior but don't ask Barbie anything. This is why I hate some tv shows. Real people don't act this way.

I chuckled when Big Jim and Barbie were in the woods discussing Jim's sadistic football career and crazy cop dude magically appears five feet from them. How could they miss seeing him?

Has it been two days? I'm wondering where captive girl is going to the bathroom.

Maybe Big Jim would ask Barbie why he beat the snot out of innocent thirty year old teenager Junior. A big "No" on both counts. They both notice bruised face and knuckles and hear a cockamamie story from Junior but don't ask Barbie anything.

And instead Big Jim gives Barbie a gun and hangs out alone with him out in the woods.

I also love the fact that it is the City Council's duty to lead manhunts for armed and dangerous fugitives.